House Democrats Aiming to Sell Upbeat Message on Economy

Democrats seeking to own the economic resurgence lane moving ahead in a GOP-controlled Congress have formed a new committee to better draft a message for consumers still feeling pinched after years of struggle, USA Today reported.

The House Democrats have created a 16-member Policy and Communications Committee tasked with devising a "sharp-contrast" message with Republicans on the economy and delivered as an "informational message."

"Today we have built the infrastructure that is going to deliver that message with clarity and consistency," said Rep. Steve Israel of New York in announcing the committee's formation, USA Today said.

"An effective message doesn't tell voters what to think, it builds on what they feel. And we have a sense that there's an acute anxiety among voters now."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "House Democrats will continue to stand up for wages and workers in America, but we must be more effective and united in communicating this to the American people."

Democrats have positive consumer confidence in their favor according to a new Gallup poll, which tracks economic confidence weekly.

The index marked its third-consecutive week going upward in 2015, "highest level since Gallup began tracking it daily in 2008," Gallup said.

Democrats, regrouping politically after a midterm election drubbing not only in Congress but across many statehouses, are taking stock of their losses and recasting their talking points as the 2016 presidential cycle looms.

President Barack Obama has led the way to tout certain positive benchmarks including unemployment numbers, but some wonder if his enthusiasm will stand in stark contrast to many Americans who have not recovered after several years of downturns, the Christian Science Monitor said.

"Mr. Obama has to tread carefully lest his words be taken as out of touch with the anxieties of middle- and working-class Americans," the Monitor said, noting persistent income inequalities across the nation.

One member of the new committee suggests that Democrats will recast the way they tell the story of how government works for them, as they work on policies to help "raise wages" and "long-term economic confidence," USA Today said.

"This is going to be an informational campaign so the voters actually see us as more than people trying to get their vote, but as people who are actually trying to educate them not only about what government does but how it connects to their lives and their welfare," said Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth, who will serve on the new commission.

"I think that's one of things we have not done as well as we should have done, and it's cost us."

Democrats seeking to own the economic resurgence lane moving ahead in a GOP-controlled Congress have formed a new committee to better draft a message for consumers still feeling pinched after years of struggle, USA Today reported.